Huttwil: Culture, Markets and Huttwilberg

Huttwil offers several ways to shape your stay: scenery and hiking trails on Huttwilberg, historic buildings in town, markets, and insights into local history and wool processing. When planning, consider whether you mainly want to spend time outdoors, are interested in local history, or would like to visit a market. This helps you tailor your stay to your interests.

Scenery and trails around Huttwil

Huttwilberg and the adjoining forests form an important local recreation area for the region. From Huttwilberg, views extend to the Lucerne and Bernese Alps and across the hilly landscape of the Napf region. The well-developed parking area on Huttwilberg is a starting point for hikes and walks. As parking regulations may change, check the signs on site.

Different geographic landmarks can help with route planning: A section of the Way of St. James runs from Zell through Ufhusen to Huttwil, passing through varied hilly countryside and offering views near and far. The Napfbergland Border Trail includes a 20.4-kilometre second stage from Huttwil to the Napf. This route climbs to higher elevations and offers expansive views. The distance gives you a specific length for this stage; the Way of St. James section, by contrast, describes the route via Zell and Ufhusen.

Local history and historic buildings

Since 1959, the Salzbütte Museum has collected and archived historical documents about Huttwil. In two rooms, it presents a small permanent exhibition alongside changing collections on the history and local heritage of the Huttwil region. A visit therefore combines a permanent exhibition setting with changing content. The «Alte Krone» on Spitalstrasse is Huttwil’s oldest building: the so-called Schultheissenhaus dates from 1653.

The central Brunnenplatz also offers a distinctive feature of the townscape. The spacious square is flanked on both sides by two residential and commercial buildings, whose symmetrical facades and hipped roofs define the square. The museum, buildings and square offer different points of interest: the Salzbütte focuses on history and local heritage, while the Alte Krone and the buildings around Brunnenplatz offer concrete examples of architecture.

Markets, wool and the museum railway

Four annual fairs and various themed markets take place in Huttwil throughout the year. The Huttwil Cheese Market showcases the variety of Swiss cheese. More than 20 cheese dairies and other exhibitors offer additional products and activities; the number of participants may vary from one edition to the next. If a market is important to your travel plans, check the dates in advance.

On the «Wool Trail», visitors of all ages can learn about wool as a raw material and the techniques used to process it. The free trail runs around the farm. There is a large adventure playground for children, including a petting zoo. On weekdays, you can watch wool being processed in the demonstration carding mill; its carding machines are more than 100 years old and are still in daily use. Check the visiting arrangements before visiting the demonstration carding mill.

The Emmental Museum Railway operates the Sumiswald-Grünen–Huttwil line. Station buildings dating from the opening period of the former RSHB, as well as tunnels and bridges, have been preserved along the route. The train runs from April to October on the second Sunday of each month, except Easter Monday, and in February for winter steam train rides. Check operating days and exceptions before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Lützelflüh, Rüegsbach, Trachselwald, Dürrenroth, Wyssachen, Eriswil, Sumiswald, Walterswil.

Return to the higher-level travel overview: Trachselwald.